John Clay’s Sidelines

SEC links for Thursday:

• Bob Gillispie of The State writes that with Steve Spurrier, that was then, this is now.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger writes that Mississippi State wants to turn up the volume on Alabama.
• Mike Griffith of the Knoxville News-Sentinel reports on a guard duo that is prepared to sign with Tennessee.
• Gary Laney of The Advocate writes on LSU’s early basketball recruiting class.
• David Climer of the Tennessean writes that when Bobby Johnson talks, the SEC should listen.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News looks at the highest-paid SEC assistant football coaches.
• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun thinks Florida assistant Charlie Strong is too smart to take the Memphis job.
• Kevin Scarbinsky of the News says it’s not too early to predict Alabama-Florida.
• Junkyard Blawg lists 10 great Georgia wins over Auburn.
• David Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that A.J. Green is back in the mix for Georgia.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes that the SEC should suspend Lane Kiffin.
• But John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that there is no such thing as bad publicity.
• Mike Griffith of the News-Sentinel writes that Chris Lofton is at home playing in Spain.
• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports on SEC reprimanding MSU coach Dan Mullen.
• Jay Greeson of the Chattanooga Times Fress Press writes that SEC officials remain in the limelight.
• Ken Suguria of the AJC writes on Tim Tebow’s SEC legacy.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: Those bad boy football coaches’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Seth Emerson of The State writes that ACC-SEC rivalry adds to South Carolina-N.C. State opener.
• Tony Barnhart of the AJC looks at how rowdy it might get for Georgia in Stillwater.
• David Brandt of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Memphis wants to rock Ole Miss’ world.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is good to go.
• ESPN’s Chris Low offers watch to watch in the SEC for Week 1.
• Ray Melick of the Birmingham News writes that after the NCAA ruling, it’s “game on” for Alabama.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean writes that Vandy coach Bobby Johnson knows this opponent well.
• Dave Hooker of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes that Lane Kiffin was unhappy with Tennessee’s Wednesday practice.
• Wes Rucker of the Chattanooga Times Free Press writes that Tennessee quarterback Jonathon Crompton is confident again.
• Randy Rosetta writes in The Advocate that LSU is working on a new offensive wrinkle.

SEC links for Friday:

• Kyle Veazey of the Clarion-Ledger reports that Mississippi State has replaced its long-time (and distinctive) public address announcer.
• Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that there are deflating issues for the Florida Gators.
• Joseph Person of The State reports that South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier is encouraged by quarterback Stephen Garcia.
• Jeff Lockridge of the Tennessean reports that Lane Kiffin and Bobby Johnson are toning down the UT-Vandy rivalry.
• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel writes not to look for Tennessee to just get by on defense.
• Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the NCAA has granted immediate eligibility to Arkansas running back Broderick Green.
• Gentry Estes of the Mobile Press-Register writes that Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain is talking it up.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate writes that Tiger Tour shines spotlight on LSU coaches.

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Joe Person of The State reports that returnees Devan Downey and Dominique Archie are thinking big things for South Carolina basketball.
• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate reports on LSU’s extra-inning win over Texas in first game of CWS finals.
• Jim Kleinpeter of the Times-Picayune writes on the clutch hits that drove LSU to victory.
• ESPN’s SEC blogger Chris Low writes on the good and bad of covering recruiting.
• At the Mobile Press-Register, Paul Finebaum writes on a shock jock who ridicules Alabama fans.
• Also in the Press-Register, Tommy Hicks writes that Florida is the near unanimous pick to win a second straight BCS title.
• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News writes that spread offense quarterbacks find it difficult to adjust.

Continue reading ‘SEC links: South Carolina basketball is thinking big’

SEC links for Thursday:

• Nate Allen of the NW Arkansas Times offers that the Tommy Tuberville/Bobby Petrino example shows that coaches should go with what they know.

• Tom Murphy of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette writes that after a poor start, the Arkansas defense is improving.

• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News writes that Nick Sabans’ love of power backs has contributed to Alabama’s success on offense.

• But David Brandt in the Clarion-Ledger writes that Ole Miss is ready for Bama’s smashmouth attack.

• Drew Edwards of the Knoxville News-Sentinel says that Phil Fulmer is thanking supporters during UT’s 2-4 start.

• But John Adams, columnist for the News-Sentinel offers that Sylvester Croom could play terminator to Fulmer’s job security.

• Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News will stir up Vandy fans, saying that Commodores coach Bobby Johnson would be a good fit for Clemson.

• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean writes that Vandy needs to locate some offense in order to beat Georgia.

• Charles Golberg of the Birmingham News reports that Auburn linebacker Tray Blackmon is out for the season with a cracked bone in his right wrist.

• In The State, Joe Person writes that South Carolina receiver Jason Barnes is coming into his own.

• In The Advocate, Randy Rosetta writes that LSU’s backups on offense are waiting to contribute.

• Kyle Veazey in The Clarion-Ledger writes that Mississippi State continues to try new things on offense.

• Kevin Brockway of the Gainesville Sun writes about the Florida basketball team, which starts practice Friday.

Bobby Johnson

SEC links for Tuesday:

• Maurice Patton of the Tennessean reports that Vandy officials say they will hang on to Bobby Johnson, even if Clemson comes after its alum to replace Tommy Bowden.

• Tennessean columnist Joe Biddle weighs in on the Clemson-Johnson connection.

• Patton also reports that Vandy is going back to Mackenzi Adams at quarterback.

• John Adams of the Knoxville News-Sentinel says Tennessee fans should look on the bright side.

• Bob Holt of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that Arkansas basketball coach John Pelphrey is ready for a wild ride.

• Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun writes about the beauty of a well-executed game plan.

• Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News writes that Alabama players aren’t looking in the rear-view mirror at past tumbles.

• Chip Towers of the AJC writes that Georgia defense could be getting a big boost.

• Randy Rosetta of The Advocate says LSU has turned its attention to South Carolina.

• In the Mobile Press-Register, Evan Woodberry writes that Tommy Tuberville says Kodi Burns is Auburn’s quarterback. For now.

• Sheldon Mickles of The Advocate reports that LSU has picked up another basketball commitment.

• Mr. SEC is re-shuffling his pre-season picks.

SEC links for Wednesday:

Ron Morris, columnist for The State in Columbia, writes that Steve Spurrier shows he has a bit of the genius left.

David Climer of the Tennessean makes the case for Bobby Johnson as SEC Coach of the Year through the season’s halfway point.

Charles Goldberg of the Birmingham News writes that both Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville and Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino claim they are past the Jetgate scandal. You remember, that’s when then-Louisville coach Petrino secretly interviewed for Tuberville’s job when Tuberville still had the job at Auburn.

Wally Hall tackles Jetgate for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The AJC’s Mark Bradley writes that Georgia’s Stafford is more than your average John.

Goldberg also reports that it was a different Tony Franklin at Auburn’s practice Tuesday.

Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean writes that the Tennessee offensive line is in the line of fire.

Robbie Andreu of the Gainesville Sun writes that with LSU coming to town, The Swamp is getting ready for another shot in the dark.

In the AJC, Tim Tucker reports that injuries have forced Georgia to shuffle its linebackers.

Randy Rosetta of The Advocate examines whether LSU running back Charles Scott should be in the Heisman discussion.